BOOM.
The explosion tore through the side of the pyramid, sending chunks of stone and dust billowing into the darkening sky.
Max and En Sabah Nur sprinted from the smoke‑filled corridor, lit by flashes of green as Max's ring surged with power.
"Great!" Nur shouted, coughing through the smoke. "Now we'll be caught! I told you we should've used the secret tunnels!"
Max glanced at the teen, then toward the guards pouring into the plaza. A slow smile spread across his face.
"Yeah, about that," he said.
Emerald energy flared from his ring. A bubble of green light wrapped around Nur as Max shot skyward, dragging the teenager with him.
"AAAHHHHH! AAAAHHHHH!" Nur screamed as they rocketed upward.
Max kept climbing higher and higher until the air thinned and stars shimmered above the curve of the world. Finally they slowed to a stop just outside the stratosphere. Earth stretched below, vast and silent.
Max phased into the bubble, floating beside Nur, whose gray face was pale and wide‑eyed.
"You were saying?" Max asked smugly.
Nur clutched his knees. "You can fly too?"
"Of course." Max looked down, serious again. "Where to now?"
Nur took a moment to catch his breath. "The eastern desert. There's a hidden oasis there where my clan and others are camped. We must hurry if Tut's forces get there first—"
"Say no more."
He turned and dove.
The orb streaked downward, carving a green arc through the night sky. Wind and heat rippled around them as they fell.
"I'm going to be sick," Nur muttered as the ground rushed toward them.
At the last second Max bled off speed, then collapsed the construct, grabbing Nur firmly and landing with a solid thud on the shifting sands.
The eastern desert stretched before them under a silver moon. The night wind howled across the dunes, and no sounds of life could be heard.
Nur staggered upright, catching his breath. "You could've done that slower."
Max was already forming new constructs. "Aren't your people in danger?"
Green light flared as he conjured a swarm of sleek drones that hovered around him like fireflies awaiting orders.
"Jade, run a search," he said. "Look for signs of Tut's elite."
"Understood," Jade responded as the glowing constructs zipped away in tight formation, vanishing into the night sky.
Nur pointed north, beyond the jagged dunes. "There. That's where the oasis lies."
Max enveloped them in another bubble, this one slower, steadier for Nur's sake. "Let's go."
They began travelling towards the oasis; the dunes blurred around them as En Sabah Nur stood silent, with worry in his eyes.
Max glanced sideways. "So, what do you expect to find when we get there?"
Nur didn't respond immediately. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Max said, adjusting their course slightly, "you've been imprisoned for a while. Do you really think the clans you united just sat around waiting for you? Will they pick someone else to follow?"
Nur's jaw tightened. "No. I was the only one strong enough to bring them together. They followed strength. Unity came through power."
"Yeah, but power doesn't like a vacuum," Max replied. "Someone has to fill the gap."
"I know who would have tried," Nur's voice dropped lower. "Scorpion."
Max suddenly had The Rock's face in his mind, and he chuckled a bit.
"Let me guess old rival?" Max asked.
"I defeated him in single combat during the last Grand Gathering of the clans," Nur said. "That was how I gained their loyalty. If word spread of my capture, he would seize the moment."
"I have been meaning to ask, why has Rama Tut not put your attempt at rebellion down? He must have known about your gathering of clans."
"You'd think an upstart rebellion would be priority one."
Nur's eyes narrowed. "The pharaoh has been pre‑occupied… with something in the south. For nearly a year now."
Max stiffened. "The south?"
The south, the south, Whats so important south of here... Max thought. No… he couldn't be—Max's heart quickened. Wakanda. Is Tut going after Wakanda? He has to be; that fucker must be after vibranium.
The conversation trailed off in silence as the stars above gave way to soft flickers of firelight on the horizon.
"There," Nur said.
The green orb dipped, slowing as the oasis came into view an emerald patch nestled in the dunes, ringed with tents and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Torchlight danced over faces of waiting people.
Jade's voice rang in Max's ear. "Detected: 654 life signs."
"Not that many left," Max murmured.
Nur exhaled sharply. "Scorpion made his move."
"And who stayed?" Max asked.
"My clan. The Sandstormers." Nur's expression darkened with something like pride. "They never wavered."
They descended.
The moment Max and Nur touched down on the sand, cheers erupted.
"En Sabah Nur!" voices cried out. "He's alive!"
People ran forward old men, warriors, mothers with children wrapped in shawls. Some fell to their knees; others embraced him; a few sobbed in disbelief.
The wave of bodies surged around Nur. Max stepped back, letting the teen no, the man have his moment.
He watched as Nur was lifted onto shoulders, chants ringing out into the desert night.
======
The stars shimmered overhead as Max stood alone on a dune, arms crossed, the wind brushing against him.
Down below, the oasis glowed with firelight, shadows of the Sandstormers dancing in celebration. Laughter and chants echoed through the desert night, all for their leader who had returned.
Max hadn't joined them.
He watched from afar, the soft light of the full moon casting a pale glow on his face. They had feared him at first, but Nur had calmed them and told them he was an ally. Max had introduced himself by the title those at Khonsu's sanctuary had named him: Ta Khetu because why not? He kinda liked that name.
He closed his eyes and began to analyze the situation he was in. Silence from Odin lingered like a bad omen. His communicator was gone, taken by Rama‑Tut when he'd been imprisoned. He had no idea if Odin had survived that encounter with the Ghost Rider no idea what had become of Agamotto as well.
But one thing he was sure of and that was that Rama‑Tut had to die.
Max had made that vow the moment the yellow energy spear tore through his shield and nearly killed him. He couldn't let Tut escape back to the future he couldn't let Kang be born.
He clenched his fist. In front of him, green light shimmered as he formed a construct a perfect likeness of Rama‑Tut appeared, holding the spear.
"Jade," Max said quietly, eyes never leaving the construct, "any chance we can detect him when he's cloaked?"
"Negative," Jade responded. "The pharaoh's stealth tech is advanced. My sensors could not track him until he was already within proximity."
Max's jaw tensed. "We can't afford another surprise."
He walked a slow circle around the construct, examining every inch of the spear. It was an elegant weapon familiar, somehow. The design tugged at the edges of Max's memory.
"Who knows what else he's hiding," he muttered.
"We must assume," Jade said, "that Rama‑Tut's arsenal includes technology far beyond anything we have encountered in our travels in the last three years."
Max nodded grimly.
"Then we need countermeasures," he said. "I need to be ready for that spear again."
"Understood," Jade replied. "I will begin compiling data to detect his cloaking for our encounter. However…" She paused. "…against the spear, you will need to meet him with greater willpower."
Max looked down at the sand, then back at the projection. He clenched his fist, and the construct shattered into green shards of light, vanishing into the night.
"I'm stronger than before," he said, more to himself than to Jade.
"Yes," Jade said softly. "Your willpower surged after confronting and overcoming your fear. You will need to do so again, but in battle."
"I know," Max replied, beginning to walk back down the dune toward the camp.
Max stepped through the camp toward where En Sabah Nur was. He found him standing near the largest tent, speaking with four rugged‑looking men, each one marked with battle scars and sun‑worn skin.
Nur turned at Max's approach. "Green Lantern," he greeted. "These are my captains."
The four nodded, their gazes curious and wary as they sized Max up. One had a curved scar running down his cheek; another wore a cloak made of lion hide. All of them carried the aura of men hardened by many battles.
Max opened his mouth to speak but Jade's voice interrupted him in his mind.
"Alert. One of the drones has picked up movement two groups of Rama‑Tut's forces. One heading north, the other approaching this location."
Max's eyes narrowed. "Tut's men are on the move," he said aloud, turning to Nur. "One group is heading north. The other's coming here."
Nur's jaw tightened. "They're going after Scorpion damn that fool.…"
"Scorpion commands ten thousand men, but without En Sabah Nur they will be crushed," one of the captains said.
Max looked at them, then out at the dark dunes.
"It's too dangerous to fight them here," Max said. "We need to move everyone. I want to take your entire clan to Khonshu's sanctuary. It's fortified, hidden, and they'll be safe there."
Nur hesitated. "There's no need for that. We can hold here."
Max looked him square in the eyes. "Your people barely have provisions left. If we fight here, there will be some casualties. At the hideout, we can regroup. We plan with Khenmet about what to do next."
Nur's face hardened. He was torn but not foolish.
"You and Khenmet are allies, right?" Max pressed. "Then act like it. We'll get your people to safety first. Then we strike back."
After a long beat, Nur nodded. "Fine. Can you transport them all?"
Max smiled faintly. "We'll be there in five minutes."
The four captains exchanged stunned glances. One of them whispered something in disbelief.
Without wasting a moment, Nur turned to his men and barked orders. The tribe sprang into action. Tents came down. Belongings were bundled. Packs were strapped onto camels and horses. Children clung to mothers, elders leaned on younger arms. Despite the chaos, it was clear they had done this before. Nomads to the core, they moved like a single organism.
But this time, their journey would not be by foot.
Max floated upward, green light radiating from his hands. He reached out and formed an enormous emerald rectangle wide enough to hold the entire clan and their animals. The light solidified into walls and flooring, gently encompassing the entire clan.
Gasps echoed through the night.
Some of the people fell to their knees in fear or reverence. A few animals shrieked. Children hid behind their mothers and fathers. Some muttered prayers. But Nur walked among them steady, calm, assuring them it was safe.
Max hovered near him. "We good?"
Nur looked back once more to ensure the last of his people were inside. He gave Max a curt nod. "Go slow."
Max gave him a sideways smile. "Sure thing, buddy."
The emerald construct rose gently into the night sky as sounds of awe erupted from the clan inside. Max only grinned as he rose higher and higher into the night sky, leaving the desert behind. The stars above brightened, then scattered outward into the full tapestry of space as Max pushed them beyond the atmosphere.
Soon, sounds from the clan vanished, most of them in awe at what was before them. Within the construct, they stood still utterly silent. Mothers held children tightly. Warriors stared wide‑eyed. Even the camels and horses shifted nervously but made no sound. All of them looked out through the shimmering walls at the star‑field before them and the glowing curve of the Earth below.
It was a sight no human from this time had ever seen.
Max stood near the front, hands behind his back, smiling to himself.
Nur, standing beside him, gazed wide‑eyed at the vast cosmos. His young face, usually hard now softened in child‑like wonder. He had not had time to truly bask in it when Max first took him into the sky.
"…It's beautiful," Nur said quietly.
Max glanced at him. "It is."
"Thank you… for showing them this," Nur said with great respect.
Max said nothing only returned a nod, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Then, gently, the construct began to descend.
Even as the Earth returned to view and the sands of Egypt once more surrounded them, the awe in the tribe remained.
They descended into the jagged walls of the canyons surrounding Khonsu's hidden sanctuary.
Max could see the moon god himself on the edge of the cliff; watching them descend.
The construct landed smoothly in the clearing outside the caves. With a final flicker, the green light vanished.
Max stood back, watching Nur as he guided his people forward. From the cave, Khenmet and several others emerged—faces shocked, steps quickening as they rushed to meet them.
"En Sabah Nur?" Khenmet said, stunned. "Green Lantern? You live?"
Max gave a short shrug. "Of course we live."
A wide, surprised smile formed on her face. She looked at Max with something between gratitude and disbelief. "Thank you for coming for me…"
Max winked at her. "Don't mention it."
Nur stepped forward, his voice loud and steady. "Priestess Khenmet. My people need shelter and, as your allies…"
Khenmet spoke without hesitation. "Say no more, En Sabah Nur. Your people are welcome here."
As the clans mingled and greetings were exchanged, Max looked upward. His eyes found Khonsu, still watching from the edge of the canyon. Without a word, he rose into the sky and flew to meet the god.
He landed beside Khonshu.
Khonshu's head tilted toward him. "So. You failed."
"Half‑failed. The Fantastic Four made it back to their time."
Khonshu turned to him, the empty sockets of his skull‑helm unreadable. "Then you understand now the power Rama‑Tut wields. The power that keeps even us gods from interfering."
Max's jaw tightened. "Yeah. I do."
Khonshu stepped closer. "Are you going to rush in again?"
Max shook his head. "No, no, I am not a man who repeats his mistakes. I need time, time to prepare."
"Good. Because I have a plan, one that will work, one that I require your assistance in," the moon god said.
Max crossed his arms. "Well," he said, "let's hear it then."
"I have spoken to my brothers and sisters," the moon god said. "I told them of your presence here… and of your strength. Your actions have stirred something. They are beginning to believe we can act once more."
Max arched a brow. "About damn time. So… are they sending their own champions like you did with Khenmet?"
Khonshu nodded slowly. "They will but only if we draw Rama‑Tut out of Thebes."
Max's eyes lit with understanding. "Draw him out. That's smart. Thebes is where he keeps most of his weapons and tech. Get him into the open, and we've got a fighting chance."
"Precisely," Khonshu replied. "And most of his forces are already stretched thin deep in the south, waging war against my sister Bast's chosen."
"Aha, I knew it. He's after Wakanda," Max said triumphantly.
Khonshu tilted his head. He looked as though he was about to ask how Max knew that, but stopped himself. "Yes," he said instead. "He seeks what lies beneath Bast's realm."
"Vibranium," Max muttered. "Damn. If he gets his hands on a steady supply…"
"Yes, he will become even more dangerous," Khonshu agreed gravely. "That's why we strike now. Fan the flames of rebellion in the north. Draw his attention. While he spreads himself thin, we build another force here one he cannot ignore. Let him feel the noose tighten."
Max nodded slowly. "Then I'll go north first with Khenmet and En Sabah Nur. After that…" Max's gaze turned southward. "I'll pay Wakanda a visit."
Khonshu shifted. "There is no need. Bast will not welcome you. She does not like—"
"I know," Max said, waving him off. "But if I can get the Black Panther on our side, it'll make things a lot easier."
Khonshu's voice turned low. "You'll have to face Bast's wrath alone."
"Don't worry about it; I can handle a god."
The moon god said nothing.
"We leave tomorrow," Max said firmly.
Khonshu tilted his skull helm slightly. "Why take the gray nomad with you?"
Max's grin widened. "Because, Moon God, I don't think even Tut is ready for what En Sabah Nur is going to become."
=====
Max left at first light with Khenmet and En Sabah Nur. Max had made a construct similar to the Shi'ar ship Max and Odin owned, which was now hidden in a forest in the Indus Valley.
Khenmet sat near the front, watching silently as Egypt faded into the distance behind them. Nur remained quiet, seated across from her, arms crossed, eyes taking in every detail. Eventually, Khenmet turned to Max.
"Lantern… where are we going?"
Max kept his gaze forward, hands glowing faintly green as he guided the construct. "We're heading far north. I need to check on something first."
There was a pause. Khenmet and Nur exchanged glances but said nothing more. They trusted Max enough.
A few minutes passed, and soon green lands gave way to frozen, snowy ones. The sky darkened with thick clouds as they descended near the Arctic Circle where Jade had last picked up Odin's signature.
The construct touched down on hard-packed snow. Wind howled across the flat ice as they stepped out.
Khenmet shivered at once, wrapping her arms around herself. "It's so cold," she muttered, her breath turning to mist.
Max raised a hand, and with a shimmer of emerald light, a winter coat and pants materialized around her, fitted and warm, glowing slightly. She looked down in surprise but said nothing.
Nur, meanwhile, stood still bare-chested, seemingly untouched by the cold. He looked around with narrowed eyes. "Who are we here to find?"
"My friend," Max said, slowly walking forward. "His name is Odin. And another man… Agamotto."
They followed Max as he traced the signature Jade was picking up.
Max stopped as he saw the sights before him.
Charred earth. Snow melted in jagged rings. Trees what few had grown here stood blackened and broken, their trunks split and smoking. The destruction radiated outward in a perfect, unnatural circle. The ground in the center was still faintly hot to the touch.
Jade's voice rang in Max's ear. "I am detecting remnants of an interdimensional portal."
Max stared at the blasted terrain, something cold sinking into his gut. "The fuck…"
He floated forward, scanning every inch. "What the hell did you get yourselves into, Odin?" he whispered.
.
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Meanwhile, in HELL
The sky bled red.
Lightning sickly and crimson snapped across the black, churning clouds. The air itself smelled of sulfur and fire.
Thousands no, tens of thousands of demons surged across the scorched plains, grotesque abominations with molten‑red skin, jagged horns, serrated claws, and glowing, lidless eyes. They howled and shrieked as they stormed forward, a stampede of nightmare incarnate. The earth cracked beneath their charge, bleeding lava with every step.
They raced toward a single raised hill, the only elevation in this cursed landscape.
And there, at the hill's summit, three figures stood shoulder to shoulder.
Odin Borson wielded Mjolnir with fury unmatched. Lightning coiled around him like a serpent, cracking with each swing as demons burst apart under the hammer's wrath.
Beside him stood Agamotto. His hands glowed with mandalas; bolts of pure eldritch energy lashed out, tearing through dozens of demons at a time.
Between them towered the Ghost Rider, a blazing skeleton cloaked in smoke and hellfire. From his hollow maw came a howl a sound that turned blood cold and sent lesser fiends scrambling.
FWOOOOOM! Ghost Rider unleashed a torrent of fire from his skull, sweeping across the ranks below. Demons ignited, their screeches piercing the blood‑red sky.
"Mephisto!" Agamotto bellowed, blasting a demon apart with a blast. "You can't keep us here forever!"
Then came the voice everywhere and nowhere.
"Oh… yes, I can, sorcerer.
I can keep you, the Asgardian, and the rider here… for all eternity."
Odin grinned. "Bah! It will take more than this to defeat us, fiend."
"OH THEN HAVE MORE!" Mephisto bellowed with laughter.
The ground trembled. From all sides, more demons emerged larger, more twisted, their flesh glowing with heat.
Agamotto sighed, eyes flashing. "You had to say that."
Ghost Rider growled, his flames flaring higher. "We need to get to the portal. It's our only way out."
Odin crushed a demon's skull beneath his boot and swung Mjolnir in a wide arc, clearing the path. "Then we fight our way through!"
Odin looked to the sky, his eyes gleaming with battle‑mad joy.
"This reminds me of when Grænlaðr and I fought those mutant monsters during the Vaa'rrun War! And I say to you, Mephisto, what my battle‑brother once said to them…"
Odin raised Mjolnir high.
"I WILL RIP AND TEAR UNTIL IT'S DONE—AND YOU HAVE NO MORE DEMONS LEFT!"
Mjolnir slammed into the ground.
KRAKA‑BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
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You can read up to chapter 28
p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)